It was my first time in Boston, having traveled 8 hours from Montreal on the typically American (and typically rickety) Greyhound Bus. The journey was scenic, winding through the hills of Vermont and passing picturesque cities like Montpellier and LeBanon (yes these are cities in the US). I also had a 'preview' of New England in Autumn (or 'Fall' as the Americans call it), with a small portion of leaves exhibiting a golden hue. I can only imagine what the place will look like a few weeks from now.
'Bastin' as the locals call it. |
Boston itself was magnificent, you can definitely tell it's one of the oldest cities in the country, preserved buildings, cobbled streets and old tram lines make up a great deal of the character. It actually feels a lot like Downtown New York (not Midtown) with the non-grid system evident.
The highlight of my Boston experience, apart from meeting with the local Arsenal contingent, was seeing the Red Sox play at their infamous home, Fenway Park. The stadium celebrated its 100th birthday last year, and aside from the modern concessions and amenities, very little has changed. It made me realise just how much I miss Arsenal's true home, Highbury.
I was actually fortunate enough to get a ticket for $1, as the Sox were holding a special promotion where anybody with a beard can get in for 'a buck'. I heard about the game the day before it took place, so I put my razor away and kept the itchy traveler beard going one day longer - it was only once I arrived at the stadium and saw people with paper and cotton candy stuck to their faces that I realised it didn't have to be a real beard. After all, how would all the women and children get in?
Not a bad view for a dollar huh? |
Anyway, suffice to say, the Red Sox lost to Baltimore Orioles. It was my first Baseball game, and it was definitely one to remember despite the loss. It's not all doom and gloom either as it looks like there's a very good chance they will progress to the playoffs. At least, that's what I think. But then it did take me 2 hours to figure out what team was actually winning, and how the scoring works. But there you go, I gave a sport other than football a chance. Could I get into it? I doubt it, by the time it had finished I actually felt like I had aged slightly, seeing as the game was almost 4 hours long.
Fenway Park and the Gooner On The Road |
The Boston Gooners. The person that took the photo deserves credit for getting at least half of us in the frame. |
I have become familiar over the past few years with the ritual of watching 2:45pm Champions League kickoffs on the US East Coast, so usually the crowd is diluted compared to the weekend. Nevertheless, the turnout for the Marseille match was great, and of course we were all pleased (and relieved) to see Theo get back on the scoresheet with a scorching half-volley.
So the next stop on the Gooner On The Road tour is New York City, home to the infamous NYC Arsenal Supporters and the Bling Pig pub where they watch the games. I've been there plenty of times but I never tire of the atmosphere there. You can see the 'Meet the Gooner Family' feature with Jeff Werner, the Boston host, later on in the week.
Finally and most importantly, remember you can donate here for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer foundation. I'm at approximately £800/$1300 so there's momentum there, but I need more volume. Please donate what you can and ask your friends and family to do the same, I truly appreciate the donation no matter how small it is.
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